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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02. Museum Board Minutes from February 4, 2016 �',,,�` rT1 Minutes of the February 4,2016 Board Meeting � U (Approved at the March 3,2016 Board Meeting.) The February meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held on Thursday, February 4, 2016, in the Lecture Room of the Oshkosh Public Museum. President Rego called the meeting to order at 4:15 pm. The roll was taken by Ms. Books. Present: Present: Excused: Ms. Drew, Secretary Ms. Matzke Mr. Domer, alternate Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego,President Mr. Hoffman, Vice President Mr. Mack, Superintendent of Schools Ms. Thierman Mr. Loiacono, alternate Absent: Mr. Dedow, School Board President Mr. Haffeman Also in attendance: Director Brad Larson, and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books recording the minutes. Consent Agenda items included the following: A. Minutes of the January Board meeting B. February Bill List C. Receipt and Filing of 4th Quarter Statements for Museum Funds with the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation Ms. Fenrich moved that the Consent Agenda be approved. Second by Mr. Mack. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Ms. Drew Ms. Matzke None Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego Mr. Mack Ms. Thierman The vote was unanimous in favor and the Consent Agenda items were passed. Next was discussion and vote that the Board give authorization to pursue grants and sponsorship opportunities to help fund costs associated with developing People of the Waters. Ms. Fenrich moved that the Board give authorization to pursue grants and sponsorship opportunities to help fund costs associated with developing People of the Waters. Second by Ms. Drew. Oshkosh Public Museum■1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 4 The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Ms. Drew Ms. Matzke None Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego Mr. Mack Ms. Thierman The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion passed. Mr. Larson began the discussion of People of the Waters design, sharing the design as it has evolved. The main change is that the long house will have a front and rear exit, with the archeological dig outside the exit of the long house as a ramp. On the side of the long house, Mr. Larson and the exhibition committee anticipate including the Menominee place name map. Also of note is the canoe, which will be made in Wisconsin if the Board authorizes funds. Mr. Larson was pleased to report that things are progressing very well and on schedule. Mr. Mack wondered about the tiles with the foot prints in them that are on the Wetlands and Waterways floor,whether it is possible to preserve those and use those somehow in the new exhibition. Mr. Larson noted that there is no guarantee that can happen. Mr. Mack mentioned cork could be a flooring option as it is natural, quiet, and durable. Mr. Larson will have that option considered. SRS will present more to the Committee on Wed., Feb 10. Next on the agenda was discussion and vote on use of the Collections Fund to reimburse Barry Bauman for materials and supplies associated with treatment of the Jean Cazin painting "Landscape." ($485.00) It was noted that Mr. Bauman does the work gratis. Ms. Fenrich asked what size the painting is. Mr. Larson noted it is 18"H x 21.5"W. Ms. Thierman moved that the Board approve use of the Collections Fund to reimburse Barry Bauman for materials and supplies associated with the restoration treatment of the Jean Cazin painting "Landscape." Second by Ms. Matzke. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Ms. Drew Ms. Matzke None Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego Mr. Mack Ms. Thierman The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion to use the Collections Fund to reimburse Barry Bauman for materials and supplies associated with the restoration treatment of the Jean Cazin painting "Landscape" was passed. Discussion and vote on use of the Florence Sarres Bequest to commission a birch bark canoe for People of the Waters ($7,000) was next on the agenda. Mr. Larson began the discussion by explaining that the canoe needs to be about 12 feet to hold all the items for the fur trade area of People. Mr. Larson is requesting the approval now so the Museum can contract with Mr. Ferdy Goode to have the canoe completed during the summer of 2016. Mr. Goode typically makes Oshkosh Public Museum■1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 4 about two canoes in a year. Ms. Thierman asked if Mr. Goode happens to be Native American; Mr. Larson said he is not. Mr. Larson reminded the Board that there is about$9,000 to$10,000 of undesignated money available from the Sarres Bequest. Ms. Fenrich inquired whether Mrs. Sarres would be recognized for this contribution to the exhibition. Mr. Larson said yes she would, and he mentioned a donor recognition plaque. Ms. Drew moved that the Board approve use of$7,000 of the Florence Sarres Bequest to commission a birch bark canoe for People of the Waters. Second by Ms. Thierman. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Ms. Drew Ms. Matzke None Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego Mr. Mack Ms. Thierman The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion that the Board approve use of$7,000 of the Florence Sarres Bequest to commission a birch bark canoe for People of the Waters passed. The Board then discussed using the balance of the Sarres Bequest for 2016 summer internships. Mr. Larson explained that this would be for two collections interns and one intern to work in the archives. A stipend of about$1,000 would be available for each intern. Ms. Thierman expressed it is a good idea to use the Sarres Bequest for these very specific, very useful things we have identified in our planning. She would like to see the money used for the interns. Ms. Drew expressed she is all in favor of interns and the great help they will be. Ms. Fenrich moved that the Board approve use of$3,500 of the Florence Sarres Bequest for summer internships. Second by Ms. Matzke. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Ms. Drew Ms. Matzke None Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego Mr. Mack Ms. Thierman The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion that the Board approve use of$3,500 of the Florence Sarres Bequest for summer internships passed. Mr. Larson began his report giving an update on Phase I of the Landscape Plan. Bidding of the first phase of the Site Master Plan, landscaping of the east grounds, is now on the Department of Public Works project bidding list. The project will be advertised February 20th and 27th;the bid opening is March 15t11; and Council bid award is March 22nd. With the revisions to the specifications and an earlier bidding date, Mr. Larson is confident the Museum stands a much better chance of receiving bids that fall within the budget. Oshkosh Public Museum■1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 4 Mr. Larson then reported on Be The Dinosaur. There was good attendance for the dinosaur talk on Monday, Feb. 1, and visitation has been light this week. This is not atypical and he pointed out that The Art of the Brick started out slow as well. Attendance over the upcoming weekend will give us an indication of the numbers we might expect over the run of the exhibition. In conclusion,Mr. Larson gave insight to the Board on the upcoming exhibition, Geniuses Of Oshkosh. Oshkosh has been a center for artistic and scientific ingenuity and creativity for well over 100 years. People moved to Oshkosh because it was known as a welcoming place for those who exhibited creativity,ingenuity and ambition. Mr. Larson gave the Mears family as a prime example of a creative family, and on the 100th anniversary of the death of noted sculptor Helen Farnsworth Mears, the Museum is highlighting her life and selected works. He noted the Museum is also putting Mears in the broader context of some of the other inventors and artists who called Oshkosh home. A summary of Geniuses of Oshkosh was handed out and is at the end of the Minutes. That concluded the Director's report. There was no Auxiliary Report as Ms. Shirtz was not able to attend the meeting. With no other agenda items Mr. Rego asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Mack so moved and Ms. Thierman seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. The meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m. "Geniuses of Oshkosh" By Debra Daubert, Curator of Exhibitions A common definition of genius is a person who has an exceptional intellectual ability for creativity and originality in the areas of science, art and music. This fits perfectly the centerpiece of this exhibition, which is a tribute to mark one hundred years since the unfortunate passing of Oshkosh artist Helen Farnsworth Mears. Considered one of the nation's most promising artists, she is also hailed as a hometown genius. To give visitors better insight into the meaning behind the Mears' sculptures, letters and drawings concerning their creation will accompany the artwork. One example is that the playful fountain sculpture "Joy Boy" was modeled from an Italian neighbor boy who, escorted by his siblings and with mother's permission, joyfully posed for homemade cookies. Oshkosh proved a nurturing ground for many more innovative thinkers like Mears. Artifacts and images from the Museums collections and on loan from museums and collectors, will introduce visitors to other geniuses who found Oshkosh the perfect location to foster their creativity. Included will be Alexander Calder, another sculptor with a much more modern approach; Eli Rice, an African American considered one of America's greatest jazz musicians yet no known recording of his work remain and images of him are rare or may be held in private collections; and Beatrice Tonnesen, photographer and inventor credited with being the first photographer to use live models for product advertisements. Oshkosh Public Museum■1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 4 of 4